THE Melksham Market Place redevelopment has been delayed until next January due to fears the works would disrupt the town’s Christmas lights celebration.

It was announced in Monday's town council meeting that work had been expected to go ahead sometime over the coming months but had been put back until after Christmas.

“We do not want to see the Christmas festivities for the town compromised,” said Melksham town clerk Steve Gray.

“If we start the work and it does not finish in time that is not something we want to see. I can understand that people might be annoyed but I would rather wait three more months rather than compromise such a big event.”

Christmas lights organiser, Paul Weymouth, said: “Really it is well done to Wiltshire Council for keeping us in mind and that someone thought of the impact it would have on us.

“I just do not know why they could not start the work a bit earlier.”